Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 23 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived on Friday to unveil and initiate a multitude of vital infrastructure, transport, social welfare, and scientific projects, signaling a substantial development surge for Kerala and the southern region.

The event took place at the Puthirikandom Maidan, attended by prominent figures including Kerala Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Minister of State for Fisheries George Kurian, and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor.

In a significant enhancement to rail connectivity, the Prime Minister flagged off four new train services, comprising three Amrit Bharat Express trains and one passenger train.

The new routes include the Nagercoil-Mangaluru Amrit Bharat Express, Thiruvananthapuram-Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express, Thiruvananthapuram-Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express, and a passenger train between Thrissur and Guruvayur.

The introduction of these new train services is anticipated to significantly improve long-distance and regional connectivity across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

Officials stated that these services will offer more affordable, safe, and timely travel, while also boosting tourism, trade, education, employment, and cultural exchange in the region.

In line with efforts to enhance urban livelihoods, the Prime Minister introduced the PM SVANidhi Credit Card, representing the next phase of financial inclusion for street vendors.

This UPI-linked, interest-free revolving credit facility aims to provide immediate liquidity, encourage digital transactions, and assist beneficiaries in establishing formal credit histories.

PM Modi also distributed PM SVANidhi loans to one lakh beneficiaries, including street vendors from Kerala.

Launched in 2020, the PM SVANidhi scheme has granted first-time access to formal credit for many beneficiaries, significantly contributing to livelihood security for urban informal workers.

During the event, PM Modi presented the credit card to a woman fruit vendor, a tailor, and awarded cheques to T.P. Biju and Sahayarani, a fish vendor.

In the domain of science and innovation, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the CSIR-NIIST Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub in Thiruvananthapuram.

This hub will focus on life sciences and the bio-economy, merging traditional knowledge systems like Ayurveda with contemporary biotechnology, and fostering startup creation, technology transfer, and global partnerships.

Strengthening healthcare infrastructure was another priority, with the Prime Minister laying the foundation stone for a cutting-edge Radiosurgery Centre at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology.

He also inaugurated the new Poojappura Head Post Office, a modern facility providing postal, banking, insurance, and digital services.